The Difference between Hanfu Kimono and Hanbok

Many friends who have just contacted Hanfu will find that Kimono and Hanbok (Korean clothes) are similar to Hanfu in many ways. This article takes you to know the differences between Hanfu, Kimono, and Hanbok.

Hanfu Dress Women Chinese Traditional dress ruqun wiki history vs Kimono Hanbok newhanfu

 

Hanfu vs Kimono

During the Nara period in Japan, the period of China's prosperous Tang Dynasty, Japan sent a large number of sent envoys to China to study culture, art, and law systems, including the clothing system.

In the early days, the kimono was a replica of the Tang suit. At that time, they also imitated the Tang system and issued a "clothing order". So far, Japan still refers to the kimono as "Wu suit", which means clothes from Wudi (now Jiangsu and Zhejiang) in China.

Although the kimono came from the development of Hanfu, it has developed its own national characteristics after a long period of history.

Hanfu Dress Women Chinese Traditional dress ruqun wiki history vs Kimono Hanbok newhanfu

  1. Waistband:
    • Hanfu: Hanfu usually has a narrow waistband;
    • Kimono: there is no tie on the kimono placket, and the waist is wide with a fabric.
  2. Neckline:
    • Hanfu: Hanfu neckline clothing is close to the back of the head;
    • Kimono: In the kimono, the neckline of an ordinary woman's neck wrapped her neck tightly, and the geisha neckline came across a large neck.
  3. Hem:
    • Hanfu: Hanfu's hem is wide, from the top to the bottom is more relaxed, walking freely, will not hinder the activity.
    • Kimono: The hem of the kimono is basically close to the curve of the thigh, which is very narrow, and the walking can only be small and small, and the activity is limited.
  4. Sleeve:
    • Hanfu: Hanfu’s wide-sleeve cutting lines are soft, in addition, the wide sleeves of Hanfu are open, and the inside can be stitched, the length of the sleeves exceeds the length of the hand.
    • Kimono: The sleeves of the kimono are straight, a bit like blades, the lower part of the cuff is stitched (about because of the cold), length to the wrist.
  5. Clothesline:
      • Hanfu: The lines of Hanfu are curves, and they are all flowing smoothly on the body, looks graceful and elegant;
      • Kimono: The lines of the kimono are straight lines, which are flat and straight at right angles. They are straight in shape and lack the display of the human body curve;

In general, Hanfu is elegant and the kimono is restrained.

 

Hanfu vs Hanbok

The Korean peninsula has long regarded China as the sovereign state, so its clothing characteristics have also changed with the changes of Chinese dynasty styles.

After the establishment of the Korean dynasty, North Korea, the kingdom of the county, enjoyed the right to be "Cifu(Emperor's reward)" by the Ming emperor.

Hanfu Dress Women Chinese Traditional dress ruqun wiki history vs Kimono Hanbok newhanfu

Therefore, Hanbok also has a distinct style of Ming Hanfu, especially women's clothing is influenced by the Ming Dynasty Aoqun(袄裙), and later joined the national aesthetic vision, the upper outer garment gradually shortened, forming today's hanbok.

  1. Collar shape:
    • Hanfu: Hanfu is generally "Jiaolingyouren(交领右衽, the collar is in Y shape)", also some V-shaped collars.
    • Hanbok: Usually V-neck, the collar will have a wide tie (bow)
  2. Top position:
    • Hanfu: the dress is attached to the upper outer garment.
    • Hanbok: upper outer garment is outside, covering the skirt, the dress's hem is very wide and fluffy. Most of them are chest dress.

 

The differences between Hanfu and Hanbok (explained in detail)

There's been a lot of discussion on Twitter lately about Hanfu vs Hanbok, along with #Hanfu challenge and #Hanbok challenge. So what is the relationship between the two historical clothing costumes?

Ancient china was really influential, influenced a lot of its bordering nations. In areas such as culture, food, architecture, clothing, etc. So it's completely normal for the Hanbok to resemble Hanfu in many areas.

Gojoseon was an ancient Kingdom in the Korean peninsula. It was first mentioned in Chinese texts in the year 700 BC. Sources relate that in the 12th century BC, Jizi (箕子), a Chinese nobleman belonging to the Royal family of the Shang Dynasty (16th-11th century BC), immigrated to the Korean peninsula, and founded Gija Joseon (箕氏朝鲜, 1160-194 BC). As far back as the North-South states period, which existed around the same time as the Tang dynasty in China, much of the Korean peninsula had already adopted the round collar style of clothing, which they called gwanbok to be used as a formal attire worn by court officials.

In the 25th year of Hongwu (洪武, 1392), King Taejo established the Joseon Dynasty. Joseon Dynasty and the Ming and Qing Dynasties of China have always been related. Close relations were maintained, especially during the Ming Dynasty. Hanbok was formed in the Joseon Dynasty, which corresponds to the Ming Dynasty in China. The costumes of the Joseon royal family were bestowed by the emperor of the Ming dynasty and were called the "Cifu (赐服, bestowing garments)" of the Ming dynasty. During the cultural exchange, Hanbok learned and borrowed many features of Ming Dynasty costumes.

Cifu to Joseon Dynasty in the Ming Dynasty

In ancient China, Yi (clothing) & Guan (crown) have always been regarded as an important symbol of a country's civilization, as well as an insurmountable outward expression of the hierarchical ritual system of the ruler and officials. The suzerain state showed appeasement, favor, and encouragement to the domain by Cifu on the domain so that the domain would serve the suzerain state more faithfully. This form of diplomacy has a long history in Chinese history and was also used quite frequently in foreign relations during the Ming Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty began to Cifu to the Korean Peninsula during the Goryeo period. After the founding of the Joseon Dynasty, King Taejo established the policy of "follow the Ming Dynasty's clothes and forbidding the wearing of Hu clothes", which pointed out the direction for the change of the Korean dress.

Chinese Costume Culture Influence on the Joseon Dynasty dress

In terms of costume culture, the Ming Dynasty Cifu had a great influence on the Joseon monarchs and retainers to follow the Ming system and reform their own costume system. Compared to neighboring nations and countries, the Korean peninsula is the most influenced by China.

1. Influence on the Joseon Dynasty dress system

Like the Ming dynasty, the Joseon Dynasty was ruled by Confucianism, with its system of clothing and ceremonies distinguishing between rulers and officials. As mentioned above, the Ming dynasty attached great importance to the distinction between the ranks of rulers and officials when Cifu to the Joseon Dynasty's officials.

For the king of Korea and the princess and other royal personnel, the Ming dynasty is mainly bestowing Mianfu (冕服), Jiangsha robes (绛纱袍), jade pendant, jade belt, and other things, while for the envoy is to give general civil and military officials Chaofu (朝服, a kind of formal dress) and Gongfu (公服, official uniforms), and according to their different official positions, but also to different grades of clothing. This ranking system of giving clothing has a clear impact on the development of the Joseon Dynasty clothing system.

2. Cifu provides a most intuitive form for the Joseon Dynasty to reference Chinese dress

The Ming Dynasty's Cifu for Joseon Dynasty has gone beyond formal favors to be closely connected with cultural identity, gradually making the Chinese costume culture of the Ming Dynasty take root and grow in Joseon, integrating it into Korean costume civilization and becoming part of its national costume characteristics. The uniforms of the kings and civil and military officials of the early Joseon dynasty were similar, or even identical, to the Ming dynasty.

Figure 1 is the sitting portrait of Emperor Ming Taizu (in the collection of the National Palace Museum, Taipei), wearing the Changfu (常服) of the Ming emperor. The Ming emperor's Changfu, instituted by Ming Taizu in the third year of the Hongwu (1370), the basic style is Wusha Zheshang Jin (乌纱折上巾,), Pan-collar (盘领) narrow-sleeved robe, belt. Ming Chengzu in Yongle three years (1405) made changes to the emperor's Changfu, the regulations: headwear a cap made of black yarn, folded upward, which is later called "Yishan Guan (翼善冠)"; wearing a Pan-collar, narrow-sleeved yellow robe, robe body before and after and shoulders each woven a gold dragon; waist jade belt.

Figure 2 is the costume of the king of the Joseon dynasty, King Taejo, except for the color of the costume, the style and pattern of the crown can be said to be identical, and even the attitude is extremely similar.

The Difference between Hanfu Kimono and Hanbok

Figure 1: Emperor Ming Taizu

The Difference between Hanfu Kimono and Hanbok

Figure 2: King Taejo

Figure 3 below shows the Changfu of officials in the Ming Dynasty. The Changfu of civil and military officials was formulated in the third year of the Ming dynasty (1370): generally a black cap on the head, a Tuan-collar (团领) robes, and a belt around the waist. The belt is different according to the official grade, different grades used different textures. In the early Ming Dynasty, there was no Buzi (补子) in the chest and back of the official costumes, and in the 24th year of the Hongwu Dynasty, the court made a new regulation on the Changfu of officials, all civil and military officials, regardless of rank, must add Buzi to the chest and back of the robes, civil officials with birds, military officials with animals, to show the difference.

The Difference between Hanfu Kimono and Hanbok

Figure 3

At the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, the Changfu of Korean officials were also without Buzi, and it was not until around the Chenghua period (成化) that they followed the Ming Dynasty officials' clothing, add Buzi in the robes. Figure 4 is the Joseon dynasty officials Changfu, as can be seen from the image, the Joseon dynasty officials wore the same clothing and Ming dynasty officials clothing: head wearing a black cap, wearing Tuan-collar clothes with Buzi, waist leather belt. Joseon as a dependency, the Ming Dynasty was appointed subordinate administrative agencies, naturally, the official uniform is also similar to the Ming Dynasty.

The Difference between Hanfu Kimono and Hanbok

Figure 4

In the Qing dynasty, there was no compulsory requirement for the Joseon dress, so the Joseon dynasty's clothing remained in the Ming style and began to evolve on its own.

The style of clothing for the noblewomen of the early Joseon Dynasty was not the same as the traditional Korean costume we see today, but was basically the same as the Chinese Han women's Ruqun (襦裙) system, which features a short Ru (襦), cross collar, wrapping the right side before the left, a white silk Huling (护领, collar protector), butterfly sleeves. In the early Joseon Dynasty, women still wore the white inner cloths of their own nation, so the cuffs were wide and the cuffs were short, but in the middle and late period, the butterfly sleeve pattern was gradually changed and it was also called the Tangyi (唐衣), and the butterfly sleeve is still used for traditional women's hanbok today.

In the early Joseon Dynasty, women still wore the white inner clothes of their own nation, so the cuffs were wide and the cuffs were short. By the middle and end of Joseon, it was slowly changed to the butterfly sleeve style, which is known as Tang Yi,(唐衣), and the butterfly sleeve is still used for traditional women's hanbok today. In the mid to late Joseon period, the women's Tang Yi was used as a formal dress worn by a princess, noblewoman, and court attendant. It was made of silk satin, embroidered with a phoenix on the chest, with a curved hem, a slightly shorter front placket, and a back body about 30 cm longer than the front placket. The front lapel or sash is embroidered with gold motifs to create a magnificent atmosphere. Tang Yi is usually worn over the skirt. The color of the garment varies depending on the status and position of the wearer.

3. Influence on the Joseon Dynasty hair accessory and hat system

In the late Joseon Dynasty, a double-ringed wooden pseudo-bun was popular with palace concubines, as shown below. This double-ringed pseudo-bun, known as the double-ringed Wangxian bun (双环望仙髻), was a famous hairstyle in the Tang dynasty of China, and was a complex and tall hair bun. Because this kind of bun is so high, combing such a complex bun was particularly time-consuming, taking about six hours. If you don't have so much time, or you don't have enough hair, then you should make a bun beforehand, and wear it on top of your coiled hair when you need it, and fix it with hairpins.

The Difference between Hanfu Kimono and Hanbok

The hats of the royal family and the civil officials of the court during the Joseon period of the Joseon Dynasty all adopted the Chinese Ming Dynasty court hat style, with no difference in shape. It is just that the coronets are worn by the royal family of Joseon Dynasty, the Yisan Guan (翼善冠), the Tongtian Guan (通天冠), the Pibian (皮弁), etc., and the civil officials wore mainly the Liang Guan (梁冠), Wusha Mao (乌纱帽), Futou (幞头), etc. are lower in form compared to the Ming Dynasty.

Until the Qing Dynasty, the Joseon Dynasty in the costume system but did not make changes, still continue the Ming Dynasty crown system.

4. Influence on the Joseon Dynasty clothing color and pattern

The women's Wonsam, for example, was a formal dress widely worn for important occasions in the palace, such as ceremonial occasions, national festivals, and royal celebrations during the Joseon Dynasty, but by the end of the Joseon Dynasty, it had become popular and was used as a wedding dress for brides on the wedding day of common people. The color regulation of the Wonsam was strongly influenced by the Chinese clothing color system.

In terms of decorative patterns, the Wonsam also became a tool to show the difference between nobility and inferiority. According to the type of pattern, it can be divided into animal patterns, flora patterns, auspicious patterns, and natural patterns. There are not many animal patterns used on the Wonsam, but mainly dragon and phoenix patterns. The dragon symbolizes the supremacy of the royal family and cannot be overstepped by others.

Influenced by ancient Chinese culture, the Korean people also compare the emperor to a dragon and the queen to a phoenix. Therefore, it is widely used in Wonsam. And the flora patterns are most commonly used on Wonsam. The lotus, plum, chrysanthemum, and pomegranate patterns are all connected with Chinese culture.

Influenced by Chinese costume art, the pursuit of auspiciousness has also become a characteristic of the costume culture of the Joseon Dynasty, and the use of auspiciousness pattern is a reflection of this cultural characteristic, which is the most obvious indication of how much Hanbok has been influenced by Chinese culture.

Even today, there are still many "relics" of the Ming Dynasty in the traditional culture of Korea.

For more on the relationship between Hanfu and Hanbok, you can click here to see the video (from Shiyin 十音).


Kimono, Hanbok (Korean clothes), and Hanfu, in fact, are divided into a variety of styles, the above comparison is only the most confusing comparison of some common women's styles, only for entry.

The most obvious features of Hanfu are summarized in three:

  • Jiaolingyouren (交领右衽, the collar is in y-shape),
  • Baoyiguangxiu (褒衣广袖, large clothes, large sleeves),
  • Xidaiyinkou (系带隐扣, hidden buckle, and lace).

Hanfu is not only a concentrated expression of Chinese culture but also reveals the spirit and spirit of the Chinese nation.

Partial reference material: Chinese Academy of History; Shiyin official channel.

The Difference between Hanfu Kimono and Hanbok
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12 Comment(s) A文章作者 M管理员
  1. 陈

    Using a drawing as a reference picture for kimono is tad unfair, no? 😆

  2. 陈

    Oh God, even the comment section is a war 😂

  3. "To be like Mongolian is kind of a trend at that time"

    Hahahahahahhahahaha, what?

  4. More mistakes...You say Korean costume was influenced by the Qing dynasty. Not exactly true.. Instead Korean Hanbok evolved from the Ming look as they actively rejected Qing influence. Next mistake is almost everything in the hair section. The picture depicts a 'Gache' which is a circular wig that is NOT wooden. The wooden 'bun' which you are alluding to was butterfly shaped. "Tteoguji" was a wooden accessory for palace ladies' ceremonial events. If you are going to right an article on the differences between Hanbok and Hanfu, you should use the Korean terms, not just Chinese ones and actually state the differences, not just make similarities. Then you say the court headdresses are copies but "are lower in form and rougher in craftsmanship than those of the Ming Dynasty." If you want to say something controversial like that you need to provide references and pictures and also use the Korean names! Next you mention Yuanshan (圆衫)? What are you talking about? There is no Korean name here. I am presuming you mean Hwarot? Again, use the Korean name!
    Also if you are wondering I am not Korean or Chinese, just someone interested in Hanbok and Hanfu and trying to learn more. I was hoping to find learning here but was disappointed.

    • May I ask what your blog is? I would like to learn more about this. Thanks.

    • I do agree with your opinion

    • Are you illiterate?

      "In the Qing dynasty, there was no compulsory requirement for the Joseon dress, so the Joseon dynasty’s clothing remained in the Ming style and began to evolve on its own."

      Zoe wrote exactly that.

      You are the only one here making mistakes.

  5. Yep lots of sad mistakes in this article. Please fix it as it is embarassing for you. Firstly, there are lots of duplicated passages. Secondly there are quite a lot of factual mistakes and research fails. First mistake is mentioning Jizi (箕子) and implying they had a lot of influence in Korea. If you take to Google for 5 minutes you will find this 'fact' is highly disputed. Never include a disputed fact in an article as the BASIS for your claims as it is a research weakness. Secondly there was a lot of influence back from Korea costume to China, before the Ming Dynasty, through noble marriages of Korean women to Chinese men. This is widely known and reported in Chinese and Korean sources. Next mistake is saying "In other words, Korea did not have its own dress system in ancient times"??? NO NO NO. Please do some research! If you want an easy to follow pictorial guide, go to the deviantart page of Glimja. She has high quality well researched illustrations of Prehistoric and Ancient Korean costumes.

    • Are you just a bitter Korean?

  6. Thanks to your text to let me know more about other traditional dresses. However there are some nonsense about Hanbok in your text. We can realize Hanbok and Hanfu have some similarity, but that's not because Hanbok was influenced by Chinese Ming dynasty, but those were both influenced by Mongolia(Yuan dynasty) which was dynasty just before Ming dynasty. To be like Mongolian is kind of tren at that time, and therefore, China and Korea, ruled by Mogolia at the same time, had a similar dress style.
    But those trends just become a part of Hanbok, original form of Hanbok was even formed over thousands years ago, Goguryeo dynasty when it was fighting with Chinese several dynasties.

    • I'm totally agree with your opinion

    • What are you talking about ......